Combination snubber and pump



Nov. 2, 1965 v. P. CLINE 3,215,084

COMBINATION SNUBBER AND PUMP Filed April 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 40 3| 24 as 34 24 32 32 as T 3s 3s 4 2s 4 Fig. 2

INVENTOR. VIRGIL PAUL CLINE Nov. 2, 1965 v. P. CLINE 3,

COMBINATION SNUBBER AND PUMP Filed April 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR VIRGIL PAUL CLINE United States Patent 3,215,084 COMBINATION SNUBBER AND PUMP Virgil Paul Cline, 1254 Gaywood, Imperial Beach, Calif. Filed Apr. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 276,467 7 Claims. (Cl. 103-148) This invention relates generally to fluid pumps and particularly to a bellows pump for use in small boats.

Background Pumps of various types are well known, their size and complexity varying with type and purpose. Piston, centrifugal, and rotary pumps contain numerous parts that are subject to frictional wear and require frequent replacement. Bellows type pumps, while perhaps not as efficient as other types, are simple in construction and are suitable for a variety of uses when volume is not a primary consideration.

Manually operated piston pumps are widely used for pumping bilges and for other purposes in small boats. Usually, it is not economical to install power-driven pumps in the smaller boats. An inexpensive pump driven by a free source of power is, therefore, a useful accessory in small boats.

The instant invention is a bellows pump comprising a minimum of parts, parts performing similar functions being interchangeable, with power supplied by small boat motion when tied up, at anchor, or lying to.

Objects It is a principal object of this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive pump for general use in small boats.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pump that operates automatically, powered by the motion of a boat when tied up to a pier, at anchor, or lying to.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a pump that serves also as a snubber for a boat tied up to a pier or at anchor.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pump in which all parts of the intake and discharge valve units are interchangeable.

When these andother objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of elements as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims,

' and illustrated in the drawings that form a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross section taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross section taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2;

Detailed description In FIGURES l and 2, bellows consists of resilient convolutions 12, smooth end portions 14, and retaining beads 16. Bellows 10 is symmetrical, both ends being identical. Bellows 10 provides pumping action in cooperation with intake valve unit 18 and discharge valve unit 20. Slidable clamp rings 22, abutting on retaining beads 16, lock valve units 18 and 20 in place in the two ends of the bellows. Threaded hose connection sockets 24 provide means for connecting intake and discharge hoses or pipes to the pump. The pump is secured in operating 3,215,084 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 ice position as hereinafter described by means of securing eyes 26.

Valve units 18 and 20 and the parts thereof are interchangeable, double beveled valve seat portions 28 and 30 in valve ports 31 of valve units 18 and 20 making it possible to insert valve elements 32 from the inside in valve unit 18 or from the outside in valve unit 20 as illustrated in \FIGURE 2.

Valve element 32 has a head flange 34 with beveled edge, a split retaining flange 36, and a slot 38. When valve elements 32 are closed as illustrated, the beveled edge of head flange 34 seats against beveled valve seat portion 28 at the intake end and against beveled valve seat portion 30 at the discharge end. Slot 38 serves a double purpose. During assembly, slot 38 provides means for pressing the two portions of split retaining flange 36 inwardly to provide clearance for insertion of valve element 32 in valve port 31 and installation of valve spring 48. During operation, when valve elements 32 are in the open position, slot 38 provides a double channel for passage of fluid through bellows 10. Split retaining flange 36 retains spring 40 on valve element 32 and locks valve element 32 in place in valve units 18 and 20. Spring 40 keeps valve elements 32 closed when the pump is not operating and assists in rapid valve closure when the pump is operating.

Stabilizing spring 42 protects bellows 10 from abnormal wear and damage that might otherwise result from excessively stretching or twisting convolutions 12. Spring 42 is attached to loops 44 by means of hooks 46 and eyes 48. Loops 44 are embedded in valve units 18 and 20, reinforcing securing eye 26 and further protecting the entire pump structure from excessive shock and strain when secured in operating position. Eyes 48 protrude from valve units 18 and 26 for easy attachment of hooks 46 during assembly as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

During operation of the pump, when convolutions 12 are extended, pressure inside bellows 10 decreases, spring 40 keeps valve element 32 in discharge valve unit 20 closed, external pressure forces valve 32 in intake valve unit 18 open, and fluid is forced into bellows 10. When convolutions 12 are contracted, pressure inside bellows 10 increases, pressure and valve spring 40 close valve element 32 in intake valve unit 18, pressure opens valve element 32 in discharge valve unit 20, and fluid is discharged from bellows 10. When convolutions 12 are again extended and contracted, the cycle is repeated.

The instant invention is designed for automatic operation when connected and installed in operating position as illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6. In FIGURE 4,

externally threaded hose connections 50 connects hose 52 to socket 24, and annular gasket 54 provides a watertight seal. In FIGURE 5, securing eyes 26 are attached to a pier or wharf at 56 and the stern of a small boat at 58. In FIGURE 6, securing eyes 26 are attached to an anchor line at 60 and 62. Intake hose 64 extends into the bilges of the boat, while discharge hose 66 is led over the side into the water. When used in this manner, motion of the boat extends and contracts bellows 10, providing continual pumping action. Also the bellows and spring 42 act as a snubber, cushioning boat motion. Safety loop 68 protects convolutions 12 from excessive stretching.

The method of securing the pump as shown in FIG- URE 5 is exemplary only and is not restrictive. Each installati-on will depend on individual boat characteristics and local conditions. Alternatively, a weighted object or sea anchor may be substituted for anchor 70 in FIG- URE 6.

While the pump is illustrated as a combination bilge pump and snubber, it also may be used for other purposes, such as pumping oil and gasoline, pumping ventilatfuel tanks.

ing air into sumps and bilges, and pressurizing water and The resilient bellows may-also be suspended over the side for use as a light duty fender between boat and pier.

'All parts of the pump, except the bellows and springs may be constructed of molded or machined plastic or other suitable material, preferably resistant to saltwater. Use of plastic instead of metal prevents electrolysis and corrosion. The bellows may be composed of rubber or other resilient material, such as neoprene. The springs may be fabricated from corrosion resistant spring steel or other material with similar characteristics. The pump has a minimum of parts with no parts subject to frictional wear. These features reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to .be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

51. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, axially extensible and compressible, cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows,

said unit including an intake valve element and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve unit inserted in the other end of said bellows, said unit including a discharge valve element and having a discharge hose connection; and

securing means on each of said units, whereby said combination snubber and pump may be secured, by cables and the like, to and between a shifting memher and a relatively stationary member such as a boat and a pier.

2. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, axially extensible and compressible, cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows, said unit including an intake valve element and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve u-nit inserted in the other end of said ibellows, said unit including a discharge valve element and having a discharge hose connection; and

securing means on each of said units, whereby said combination snubber and pump may be secured, by cables and the like, to and between a shifting member and a relatively stationary member such as a boat and a pier, said units and said valve elements being similar and interchangeable.

3. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, axially extensible and compressible, cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows,

said unit including an intake valve element and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve unit inserted in the other end of said bellows, said unit including a discharge valve element and having a discharge hose connection; and

securing means on each of said units, whereby said combination snubber and pump may be secured, by cables and the like, to and between a shifting member and relatively stationary member such as a boat and a pier;

a stabilizing spring within said bellows and having the ends thereof engaged with said external securing means;

and spring means biasing said valve elements toward a closed position.

4. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, axially extensible and compressible cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows, said unit including an intake valve element and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve unit inserted in the other end of said 5 bellows, said unit including a discharge valve element and having a discharge hose connection; and

securing means on each of said units, whereby said combination snubber and pump may be secured, by cables and the like, to and between a shifting memlber and a relatively stationary member such as a boat and a pier;

each of said valve units having a port extending therethrough;

and a valve element operably mounted in each of said ports;

said ports having a double beveled edge so that said valve elements are interchangeable in said units.

5. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows, said unit including an intake valve and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve unit inserted in the other end of said bellows, said unit including a discharge valve and having a discharge hose connection; and

external securing means on each of said units, whereby said combination snubber and pump may be secured, by cables and the like, to and between a shifting member and a relatively stationary member such as a boat and a pier;

said bellows having annular external beads at said open ends thereof; and

annular clamping rings retained by said beads and clamping said ends of the bellows onto said units.

6. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, axially extensible and compressible, cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows,

said unit including an intake valve and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve unit inserted in the other end of said bellows, said unit including a discharge valve and having a discharge hose connection;

securing means on each of said units; and

actuating means connected to said securing means whereby said units may be moved axially relative to each other.

7. A combination snubber and pump comprising:

a resilient, axially extensible and compressible, cylindrical bellows having open ends;

an intake valve unit inserted in one end of said bellows, said unit including an intake valve element and having an intake hose connection;

a discharge valve unit inserted in the other end of said bellows; said unit including a discharge valve element and having a discharge hose connection;

securing means on each of said units;

actuating means connected to said securing means whereby said units may be moved axially relative to each other;

a stabilizing spring means interconnecting said valve units; and

spring means biasing said valve elements toward a closed position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/ 94 Hardman 2301'69 8/53 Marks 103-148 

1. A COMBINATION SNUBBER AND PUMP COMPRISING: A RESILIENT, AXIALLY EXTENSIBLE AND COMPRESSIBLE, CYLINDRICAL BELLOWS HAVING OPEN ENDS; AN INTAKE VALVE UNIT INSERTED IN ONE END OF SAID BELLOWS, SAID UNIT INCLUDING AN INTAKE VALVE ELEMENT AND HAVING AN INTAKE HOSE CONNECTION; A DISCHARGE VALVE UNIT INSERTED IN THE OTHER END OF SAID BELLOWS, SAID UNIT INCLUDING A DISCHARGE VALVE ELEMENT AND HAVING A DISCHARGE HOSE CONNECTION; AND SECURING MEANS ON EACH OF SAID UNITS, WHEREBY SAID 